Kyrie Irving’s Christmas heroics in Luka Doncic’s absence highly praised by $28m former champ 

Kyrie Irving (Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving stepped up for his shorthanded squad during Wednesday's 105-99 Christmas Day home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. While Irving's standout performance wasn't enough to secure a victory, it earned him high praise from 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins.

After losing superstar guard Luka Doncic to a strained left calf in the first half's closing minutes, Irving and Co. dug themselves a deep hole. They fell behind by as many as 28 points late in the third quarter, with the game appearing to be a lost cause.